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isabeltavares's review against another edition
The Daughters of Izdihar shows us a world (not far from our own) where women have no rights and must do their fathers or brothers' bidding. It is also a world where weaving skills are frowned up and tensions rise as the Daughters try to reclaim their rights in society.
The plot appealed to me right away and I was so excited to read it. I am disappointed to say I have decided to not finish my review copy and these are the following reasons:
*I saw this marketed as an adult book but the writing reads very young and awkward to me.
*I feel no motivation to continue and 30% the characters and the writing haven't hooked me in.
Ultimately, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with this novel. It isn't the right book for me.
However, I hope it finds its readers so if you're reading this and you love fantasy, mythology and stories about rebellious women, then The Daughters of Izdihar is the book for you!
The plot appealed to me right away and I was so excited to read it. I am disappointed to say I have decided to not finish my review copy and these are the following reasons:
*I saw this marketed as an adult book but the writing reads very young and awkward to me.
*I feel no motivation to continue and 30% the characters and the writing haven't hooked me in.
Ultimately, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with this novel. It isn't the right book for me.
However, I hope it finds its readers so if you're reading this and you love fantasy, mythology and stories about rebellious women, then The Daughters of Izdihar is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Abortion
incipientdreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Buckle up everyone, because this is going to be a loong review. This book fueled my feminist rage and I was in a constantly ranty mode while reading this. A phenomenal debut; I cannot wait to read the sequel after that cliffhanger of an ending!
The Daughters of Izdihar was everything I wanted by a novel marketed as "two women's quest to fight for women's rights in an Egypt-inspired world with elemental magic". I have read a couple of fantasy books that tackle sexism on a large scale, centring on a group of women fighting for their basic human rights, and while I usually enjoy most of them, The Daughters of Izdihar hits home more than those other books. Part of the reason might be because the world feels so real and close to me. I grew up in a conservative South Asian Muslim country where religious dogma and extremism meant that women were treated as sub-human creatures. A lot of the struggles depicted in Elsbai's book are still rampant/normalized in countries such as my own. Not to mention the feminist revolution taking place in Iran is eerily similar to how the Daughters are treated in this book. Elsbai shows us the ugly truth of the patriarchal society we live in, a place where women are denied the right to vote, go out on their own, sign legal documents, and not be allowed to pursue education. This is the reality faced by women and young girls in Afghanistan and Saudia Arabia. Women who dare to speak out are jailed and beaten and abused.
Both of Elsbai's leading characters are unique perspectives on how sexism affects women differently depending on their social class. Nehal, a wealthy sheltered woman, who doesn't really care about the consequences of her actions because she has her wealth and privilege to fall back on is a study of how most rich women might not care about misogyny in society because they are so sheltered. Meanwhile, Giorgina coming from a poor household, and having no security in life has a more muted or hesitant perspective in fighting for her rights. Not to mention the numerous other members of the Daughters who each have their own circumstances and choose to fight their battles accordingly. I feel like depictions like this, show that there is no such thing as a bad feminist.
I loved the character development of both characters, how Nehal eventually opens her eyes to injustice, and how Giorgina finally gains the courage to live her own life, by stepping out of the shadow cast by her controlling father. Another thing I found interesting was how Nico, Giorgina's love interest was shown to be a very passive person when it came to matters that did not affect him that deeply. It showed the lack of initiative by many men who claim to be "allies".
This book is also unapologetically queer which given the community it's set in, hits painfully home for me. The writing is nothing extraordinary but for a debut book, I would say it's still pretty good given other recent debuts. The worldbuilding is lush and you can see the author's love for her culture in the way she describes the foods and architecture. The magic system is very Avatar-style elemental magic, and I'm excited to learn more about Nehal and Giorgina's growing powers in book two.
The Daughters of Izdihar takes the patriarchy and rips it to shreds. We desperately need more WOC writing books about feminism because they shed light on how underprivileged women in underdeveloped countries are still suffering. Unfortunately, the racist bias in the publishing industry is obvious, given the lack of marketing this book had. Seems like people only care about domestic violence when Collen Hoover rights about it...
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
The Daughters of Izdihar was everything I wanted by a novel marketed as "two women's quest to fight for women's rights in an Egypt-inspired world with elemental magic". I have read a couple of fantasy books that tackle sexism on a large scale, centring on a group of women fighting for their basic human rights, and while I usually enjoy most of them, The Daughters of Izdihar hits home more than those other books. Part of the reason might be because the world feels so real and close to me. I grew up in a conservative South Asian Muslim country where religious dogma and extremism meant that women were treated as sub-human creatures. A lot of the struggles depicted in Elsbai's book are still rampant/normalized in countries such as my own. Not to mention the feminist revolution taking place in Iran is eerily similar to how the Daughters are treated in this book. Elsbai shows us the ugly truth of the patriarchal society we live in, a place where women are denied the right to vote, go out on their own, sign legal documents, and not be allowed to pursue education. This is the reality faced by women and young girls in Afghanistan and Saudia Arabia. Women who dare to speak out are jailed and beaten and abused.
Both of Elsbai's leading characters are unique perspectives on how sexism affects women differently depending on their social class. Nehal, a wealthy sheltered woman, who doesn't really care about the consequences of her actions because she has her wealth and privilege to fall back on is a study of how most rich women might not care about misogyny in society because they are so sheltered. Meanwhile, Giorgina coming from a poor household, and having no security in life has a more muted or hesitant perspective in fighting for her rights. Not to mention the numerous other members of the Daughters who each have their own circumstances and choose to fight their battles accordingly. I feel like depictions like this, show that there is no such thing as a bad feminist.
I loved the character development of both characters, how Nehal eventually opens her eyes to injustice, and how Giorgina finally gains the courage to live her own life, by stepping out of the shadow cast by her controlling father. Another thing I found interesting was how Nico, Giorgina's love interest was shown to be a very passive person when it came to matters that did not affect him that deeply. It showed the lack of initiative by many men who claim to be "allies".
This book is also unapologetically queer which given the community it's set in, hits painfully home for me. The writing is nothing extraordinary but for a debut book, I would say it's still pretty good given other recent debuts. The worldbuilding is lush and you can see the author's love for her culture in the way she describes the foods and architecture. The magic system is very Avatar-style elemental magic, and I'm excited to learn more about Nehal and Giorgina's growing powers in book two.
The Daughters of Izdihar takes the patriarchy and rips it to shreds. We desperately need more WOC writing books about feminism because they shed light on how underprivileged women in underdeveloped countries are still suffering. Unfortunately, the racist bias in the publishing industry is obvious, given the lack of marketing this book had. Seems like people only care about domestic violence when Collen Hoover rights about it...
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
mrsgreen22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
mxkanteven's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
BLOOD. BENDING. BISEXUALS!
That is all.
This book is perfection, I have no notes and I want the sequel yesterday.
It’s exploration of social misogyny and the relationship between oppressive policies and religious prejudice is nothing short of skillful.
Beyond just that, Hadeer’s commentary on privilege and privileged people’s apathy and cowardice regarding challenging social inequity is brilliant.
That is all.
This book is perfection, I have no notes and I want the sequel yesterday.
It’s exploration of social misogyny and the relationship between oppressive policies and religious prejudice is nothing short of skillful.
Beyond just that, Hadeer’s commentary on privilege and privileged people’s apathy and cowardice regarding challenging social inequity is brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
azrah786's review against another edition
4.5
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a proof copy from Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, injury, murder, death, police brutality, sexual harassment, medical trauma, sexism, misogyny, classism, homophobia, lesbophobia, fire/fire injury, grief, abortion
--
An unputdownable debut, The Daughters of Izdihar is a story with captivating magic and a stirring fight for independence.
Set in a lush, historic Egypt inspired fantasy world where a profoundly patriarchal society is as prejudiced to those with rare elemental ‘weaving’ powers as it is to its women, two women’s lives intertwine through the activist group The Daughters of Izdihar and their fight for their rights as both women and weavers.
Our protagonists are Nehal, a noble woman with a fiery disposition coerced into an arranged manage to get her family out of debt, who craves the opportunity to better learn to control her water weaving powers and join the Alamaxa Weaving Academy. And Giorgina, a more reserved and subtly defiant working class woman with earth weaving powers of her own, who’s solace in life comes from contributing to the Daughters of Izdihar and working at a local bookshop.
**I received a proof copy from Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, injury, murder, death, police brutality, sexual harassment, medical trauma, sexism, misogyny, classism, homophobia, lesbophobia, fire/fire injury, grief, abortion
--
An unputdownable debut, The Daughters of Izdihar is a story with captivating magic and a stirring fight for independence.
Set in a lush, historic Egypt inspired fantasy world where a profoundly patriarchal society is as prejudiced to those with rare elemental ‘weaving’ powers as it is to its women, two women’s lives intertwine through the activist group The Daughters of Izdihar and their fight for their rights as both women and weavers.
Our protagonists are Nehal, a noble woman with a fiery disposition coerced into an arranged manage to get her family out of debt, who craves the opportunity to better learn to control her water weaving powers and join the Alamaxa Weaving Academy. And Giorgina, a more reserved and subtly defiant working class woman with earth weaving powers of her own, who’s solace in life comes from contributing to the Daughters of Izdihar and working at a local bookshop.
“There are times when you must speak. Even if you can’t change the other person. If you don’t speak, then they have succeeded in changing you.“
Hadeer Elsbai has done a fantastic job at narrating an engaging storyline that cuts deep at your emotions and the parallels to real world prejudices made it hit all the more harder. I think the mastery particularly comes from how the two perspectives we follow were not only distinct in their personalities, but having two protagonists of different social backgrounds gave the story that much more significance.
They may be different in status and demeanour but Nehal and Giorgina have much in common when it comes to the challenges they face with their families, their relationships/love, their powers and wider society. I found myself equally infuriated and inspired by their individual journeys and the situations they faced and the very real endurance of women that this story lays bare.
“Didn’t the reality of the oppression matter more than the language they used to fight it?”
My main criticism is that while the descriptions and sense of atmosphere of the settings are captured pretty well, I thought the worldbuilding was a little loose especially when it came to the magic system. Though the handful of abilities used throughout the book made for some exciting moments of action, they weren’t really explained or developed on much. We get a few details on the pantheon of Gods that the powers are said to come from and a few training scenes at the academy but the magic definitely had less of a focus than the overarching political plot.
The intrigue here was twofold, that of the more personal human rights level and then the machinations relating to international relations occurring in the background that slowly gained more prominence. The tensions, fast moving narrative and compelling determination of these characters will keep you hooked to the very end. And with how everything closes off in this first instalment I am now going to be counting the days until I can get my hands on book 2!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Abortion and Sexual harassment
haikx's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book for early access to this book.
This book reminded me a lot of The Book Eaters. I valued the message transmitted through the story, but some details refrained me from loving the book in its entirety.
The fight for women's rights and the challenge to the patriarchal system, together with the topic of hegemonic masculinities from a gender perspective, is something I haven't encountered extensively in the fantasy genre, and I appreciated it.
This book handles all of the above issues in a direct, entertaining, and nonetheless crude way. Injustices and oppressions are constantly present in the story, but also the spirit of effort for a dignified life, equality, and respect for the rights of all people, regardless of their gender or personal beliefs. I loved the incorporation of the topic of alliances among minorities, along with the emphasis on raising awareness of the privilege that cis men have in society. (Something extra that's been widely discussed in gender equality studies, that was also addressed in the story, is that being a queer male does not inhibit anyone from following the behaviors of hegemonic masculinity).
Now, some elements prevented me from giving the story a 5-stars rating.
First, the world-building is little, if not nil. It was difficult for me to situate or reference the story to a particular time period, and I mostly felt confused about how to picture a particular setting inside my head. The magic system is not something new in the genre, but it could have been managed more interestingly. It never became clear how it works, and where it comes from to the point it felt very extra to the story. Finally, overall I found the book to be predictable and the pace slowed to a point where I considered abandoning it.
It hasn't been one of my best reads, but I think that for a debut, it was pretty satisfying.
This book reminded me a lot of The Book Eaters. I valued the message transmitted through the story, but some details refrained me from loving the book in its entirety.
The fight for women's rights and the challenge to the patriarchal system, together with the topic of hegemonic masculinities from a gender perspective, is something I haven't encountered extensively in the fantasy genre, and I appreciated it.
This book handles all of the above issues in a direct, entertaining, and nonetheless crude way. Injustices and oppressions are constantly present in the story, but also the spirit of effort for a dignified life, equality, and respect for the rights of all people, regardless of their gender or personal beliefs. I loved the incorporation of the topic of alliances among minorities, along with the emphasis on raising awareness of the privilege that cis men have in society. (Something extra that's been widely discussed in gender equality studies, that was also addressed in the story, is that being a queer male does not inhibit anyone from following the behaviors of hegemonic masculinity).
Now, some elements prevented me from giving the story a 5-stars rating.
First, the world-building is little, if not nil. It was difficult for me to situate or reference the story to a particular time period, and I mostly felt confused about how to picture a particular setting inside my head. The magic system is not something new in the genre, but it could have been managed more interestingly. It never became clear how it works, and where it comes from to the point it felt very extra to the story. Finally, overall I found the book to be predictable and the pace slowed to a point where I considered abandoning it.
It hasn't been one of my best reads, but I think that for a debut, it was pretty satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Sexism, and Police brutality
Minor: Abortion and Sexual harassment
ezwolf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book and I absolutely adored Nehal! Both Giorgina and Nehal were wonderfully well written and interesting characters, but I really enjoyed Nehal’s “I will not hesitate to call you out on your bullshit” attitude. Also the fact that she comments on every pretty woman that crosses her path.
I was a little hesitant about the marriage plot point but the way that Nehal and Nico go from tentative allies to the partnership they have by the end of the book is great. The acknowledgment that neither of them wanted to be married to each other but can help each other get things they want was so much fun to read about.
This book does a great job of covering a lot of important topics from women’s rights in general, voting rights for women, abortions, purity culture, wealthy privilege, etc.
The wait for the next book to come out will be worth it, I have no doubt!
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little hesitant about the marriage plot point but the way that Nehal and Nico go from tentative allies to the partnership they have by the end of the book is great. The acknowledgment that neither of them wanted to be married to each other but can help each other get things they want was so much fun to read about.
This book does a great job of covering a lot of important topics from women’s rights in general, voting rights for women, abortions, purity culture, wealthy privilege, etc.
The wait for the next book to come out will be worth it, I have no doubt!
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Abortion and Sexual harassment